Northern ireland and uk

0 Comments Bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland 'could create Celtic powerhouse' BelfastTelegraph.co.uk A bridge linking Northern Ireland and Scotland could create a "Celtic powerhouse", a top architect has claimed. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/bridge-between-northern-ireland-and-scotland-could-create-celtic-powerhouse-36519186.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/article36519185.ece/1d389/AUTOCROP/h342/2018-01-23_new_37915694_I1.JPG Email A bridge linking Northern Ireland and Scotland could create a "Celtic powerhouse", a top architect has claimed. Professor Alan Dunlop from Liverpool University said a road and rail crossing from Larne to Dumfries and Galloway would boost the Irish and Scottish economies, and help ease border pressures after Brexit. "A bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland would be an excellent idea," he said. Prof Dunlop's comments followed suggestions by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson … [Read more...] about Bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland ‘could create Celtic powerhouse’

THE future of Brexit is at risk of getting bogged down in the muddy field that is the 310-mile border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.Prime Minister Theresa May believed she had finally kick-started the official divorce negotiations this week when she agreed to a reported £50billion deal to allow us to discuss trade with the EU.But the EU’s insistence on erecting a hard border between Northern Ireland and its southern neighbour has caused fury and is now the main sticking point threatening to derail the talks.Northern Irish craftsman Jason Taylor is one of many who feel outrage at the EU’s latest meddling in their affairs.The 25-year-old, who lives with wife Danielle and daughter Isabella in the Brexit-supporting town of Banbridge, Co Down, said: “Why can’t the EU let us keep things the way they are?“For me, this is another example of them playing politics and trying to milk us for every penny they can get.“It’s a dangerous … [Read more...] about Brexit at risk of getting bogged down in the muddy field that is the 310-mile border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic

THE UK will be torn apart if a plans for customs controls after Brexit become reality, it was claimed today.Senior ex-minister Peter Hain is calling for Northern Ireland to enter a new customs union with the Republic to prevent a hard Irish border when Britain leaves the EU.But unionists fear that the proposals would result in “the partition of the UK” and play into the hands of Sinn Fein - which is calling for a new referendum on Northern Ireland’s future.Lord Hain, the former Northern Ireland Secretary, tells the House of Lords today that the Government must prevent a hard border in Ireland at all costs.He was expected to say: “In my view the only way of resolving the border conundrum is for Northern Ireland to be within the same customs union and single market as the Republic - either Northern Ireland alone or preferably with the whole of the UK."The peer has dismissed the Government’s claim that the vast majority of businesses can continue to trade … [Read more...] about Fury at plan for border checks between Northern Ireland and mainland UK after Brexit

LEADING MPs slammed the Irish prime minister today after he called for a sea border between Britain and Ireland after Brexit.Leo Varadkar said the only way to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic was to introduce checks for anyone travelling between Ireland and the mainland UK.But DUP bosses were scathing about his claims - insisting the proposed arrangement "is just not going to happen" and saying Ireland needs a "reality check".In a surprising shift in tone, new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisted the UK's post-Brexit border proposals threaten the Northern Ireland peace process.Dublin wants to see border checks between the UK and the Republic carried out in ports and airports across the island rather than on the currently soft land frontier, The Times reports.That would allow goods and people to move freely between Northern Ireland and the Republic - but they would then face immigration and customs checks when they went to England, Scotland or Wales.The British … [Read more...] about Fury over Irish demands for a new SEA border between Northern Ireland and Britain after Brexit

HURRICANE Ophelia has claimed three lives as the deadly storm with winds of up to 80mph makes its way through the British Isles.Buildings across Ireland, Wales and the west of England have been battered with more than 360,000 homes without power and a national emergency group convening in response to what could be one of the worst storms in decades.The death toll of the storm has already tragically reached three after a woman in her 50s, driving close to the village of Aglish in Waterford, Ireland, was killed in her car this morning, with a female passenger, in her 70s, also rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The second victim, announced on Monday afternoon, was a man in his 30s who died in a chainsaw accident in Cahir, Co Tipperary after trying to remove a downed tree.A man was also fatally crushed by a falling tree in his car in Ravensdale, Dundalk.More than 360,000 homes and businesses are without power in the Republic and schools, hospitals and public … [Read more...] about Hurricane Ophelia leaves three dead as 80mph storm batters Ireland and UK blowing roof off school and football STADIUM

IRELAND will hold a referendum to relax abortion laws after a citizens' assembly voted in April for reform.Women and girls from Northern Ireland are not allowed to receive abortions in the province but are free to have them on the NHS in England after a landmark change in UK Government policy.Abortion is available in Ireland only when there is a proven risk to the woman's life, including through suicide.Many pregnant women travel to Britain or have an illegal termination with pills bought online.In a series of votes in April, the citizens' assembly, set up to consider the issue, recommended that abortion should be available up to 12 weeks after conception "with no restriction as to reason".The vote for change was overwhelming, by 52 to 29.In 2018 Ireland will hold a referendum on whether to repeal its ban on abortion in almost all circumstances - the vote is expected to take place in either May or June.Last year the UN stated that Ireland's laws on abortion were "cruel and … [Read more...] about Is abortion illegal in Ireland, is there going to be a referendum and why is the law different in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK?

BRAWLS broke out in Nice last night as Northern Irish and Polish football fans were set upon by locals.Witnesses described disturbing scenes as the Euros descended into violence, with locals from the “Nice Ultras” picking fights with international fans ahead of the teams' clash in the city later.The hooligans threw glasses in the streets as thugs fought with each other and riot police struggled to regain order.Earlier on in the day, the rival fans had been applauded for sharing selfies and singing songs together ahead of the match in the Allianz Riviera stadium on Sunday.Northern Irishman Alex Sloan described the “terrible scenes” and criticised French officials for allowing the riot to take place.He tweeted: “Terrible scenes in #Nice. French security allow #Nice ultras to walk into crowd & initiate riot. #GAWA.“Riots in stark contrast to friendly atmosphere between #GAWA & #Poland fans this eve. Serious Qs for French … [Read more...] about French football hooligans attack Northern Ireland and Poland fans

Britain’s Out vote could see the introduction of border controls between Ireland and Northern Ireland.With uncertainty over what happens next there are fresh concerns about the relationship between the North and South.Some have suggested a “hard border” to control movement of people and goods between the territories.This could involve a passport checkpoint or electronic checks.Prior to the vote both the UK and Northern Ireland were part of the EU, and there was unrestricted free movement across the border.An important part of the Irish peace settlement was a deal to make the border less important.It is feared the referendum result will put the fragile 1994 ceasefires at risk.But following Brexit, Sinn Fein has made calls for a border poll.Declan Kearney, of the Northern Ireland Assembly, told the BBC: "This outcome tonight dramatically changes the political landscape here in the north of Ireland and we will be intensifying our case for the calling of a … [Read more...] about Questions over how border between Northern Ireland and Republic will be controlled

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority has announced airspace closures over Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland due to a rise in levels of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has also cancelled all takeoffs within its airspace until midday on Tuesday. IAA chief Eamon Brennan said he was optimistic that the cloud would dissipate soon. Flights over continental Europe are expected to remain uninterrupted, the aviation authorities said. The flight bans were called following fresh activity at Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which caused travel chaos across the world when it began erupting last month. As a result, airspace over Europe was closed for six days and a global backlog of around seven million passengers was created. European Union transport ministers are to meet in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss ways to improve response mechanisms to future air travel crises. Also on the agenda will be a long-mooted common European airspace policy. dfm/dpa/AP … [Read more...] about Volcano forces new airspace closures in Ireland and UK

Britain's minister for Northern Ireland said on Wednesday that London is starting the process of setting a budget after failed attempts to restore Northern Ireland's collapsed power-sharing administration. "This can't simply continue forever and a day ... There are decisions that have been stored up that have to be taken," Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire (pictured above) told journalists. He said unless the British government set a budget, Northern Ireland would start to run out of money by the end of the month. Read more: EU 'worries' that UK wants to use Ireland as customs 'test case' He noted that the move does not amount to Britain imposing direct rule on Northern Ireland, and said the budget process could be handed back to Belfast if its two main parties reach an agreement. The pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the Irish Nationalists Sinn Fein failed to meet a Monday deadline to strike an accord, with the latest round of talks collapsing on … [Read more...] about London to set Northern Ireland budget, sparking concerns of direct rule